For Immediate Release                                                                                                                  

June 15, 2010

Contact: 

Office of Senator Mary Landrieu

media@landrieu.senate.gov

Senate Confirms Louisiana Judicial Nominees Jackson, Foote

WASHINGTON – Behind the push of United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., the Senate late last night confirmed Louisiana judicial nominees Brian Jackson and Elizabeth Erny Foote, who were unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 18. 

            Jackson, who will now serve as U.S. District Court judge for Louisiana's Middle District, was recommended by Sen. Landrieu for the post in May 2009.           

"Brian Jackson is an exemplary public servant with a distinguished record as an attorney and prosecutor,” Sen. Landrieu said. "With roots in New Orleans, time spent serving our state’s Middle District and a long career in the U.S. Department of Justice, he will immediately make a positive impact as District Court judge.  One of the key reasons I supported his confirmation is because his approach on the federal bench will be both fair-minded and impartial, and I congratulate him on this incredible and well-deserved achievement.”

            "I am deeply grateful to President Obama for nominating me to the federal bench,” said Jackson. "I also appreciate the strong support of Senator Landrieu during the confirmation process.  As the lawyers in the district know, the judges of the Middle District are hard working and highly regarded.  I look forward to working with them.”

            Foote, who will now serve as U.S. District Court judge for the Western District, was recommended by Sen. Landrieu in July.

            "Ms. Foote is an exceptional and well-qualified attorney whose love for the law and legal expertise will serve her well as she takes on her new role as District Court judge,” Sen. Landrieu said. "Her experience and presence in Louisiana make her an excellent fit for this job.  I was particularly impressed with her service as President of the Louisiana State Bar Association, which has provided her with invaluable relationships with community members and officials across Louisiana.”

            "I look forward to serving the public and the legal community as a district court judge in the Western District,” said Foote.  "The rule of law is wholly dependent on the public’s trust and faith in the judicial system. I will strive every day to maintain that trust and faith and to do so with humility and with gratitude for the opportunity to serve my country in this important capacity.  I thank the President of the United States, the United States Senate and in particular Senator Mary Landrieu for the confidence they have placed in me and the honor they have bestowed upon me.”

            Between 1994 and 2002, Mr. Jackson was the First Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, where he managed or litigated a variety of civil and criminal cases. Because of his leadership, he was selected in 2001 to be the interim U.S. Attorney for the Middle District pending the confirmation of then-President Bush's nominee. He also worked as an Associate Attorney General and an Assistant United States Attorney.

Since 2002, Brian Jackson has served as a partner in the law firm of Liskow & Lewis, where he heads the firm's government investigations and white collar crime groups. He graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana and Southern University School of Law, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Southern University Law Review. He also received an LL.M. from Georgetown University in international and comparative law.

            Elizabeth Foote is currently a partner at Smith Foote Law Firm in Alexandria, where she has practiced law since 1979. Foote also served as law clerk for Judge William Culpepper, Chief Judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

            Foote was President of the Louisiana Bar Association from June 2008 to June 2009. She was also previously a member of the Association’s Board of Governors and received the President’s Award for outstanding service in 1994. 

For 2009 and 2010, Foote was named one of the top attorneys in Louisiana by Louisiana Super Lawyers Magazine. She earned her undergraduate and law degrees from Louisiana State University.

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